Child Prostitution Bill Amended Again by California Lawmakers

After 16- and 17-year-old victims had been excluded, an Assembly committee attempted to address the pushback.

Bill author State Sen. Shannon Grove said she disagrees with the amendments, but she's happy the bill is moving forward. Here, she speaks to advocates at a press conference prior to a bill hearing in Sacramento, Calif., on April 16, 2024. Courtesy of California State Senator Shannon Grove

SACRAMENTO—A bill that was originally introduced to make soliciting a child for sex a felony underwent additional changes in the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee on July 2.

At issue is Senate Bill 1414, authored by Republican Sen. Shannon Grove, which “aims to increase penalties for those who purchase children for sex,” her office said in a statement.